Arundina graminifolia is a terrestrial, perennial orchid with reedy stems, forming into large clumps growing to a height between 70 cm and 2 m.
The plaited linear leaves are oblong lanceolate, with a length of 9 to 19 cm and a width of 0.8 to 1.5 cm. The apex is acuminate. There are amplexicaul (clasping the stem) sheathing stipules.
This orchid blooms in summer and autumn, showing rather open clusters of showy terminal flowers, ten at the most. They bloom in succession on the terminal racemes,which are 7 to 16 cm long. These flowers, 5–8 cm in diameter, are a rosy lilac and white disc with a purple lip. The bracts are broadly triangular and surround the main stalk of the flower cluster. The occasional fertilized seed pods contain minute powdery seeds, and small plants often develop near the cane ends after flowering, which likely aid in propagation if allowed to reach the soil.
At one point in time only 200 of the plants were recorded growing naturally in Singapore, rendering the species close to extinction. This was due to the destruction of its natural habitat, namely the rainforests and mangrove forests. However, through replanting efforts by NParks, the species is now listed as a "common" cultivated plant.[7] In MalaysiaA. graminifolia is commonly called tapah and can be found in secondary forests or at forest fringes. It is very common in road cuts and other disturbed areas in full sun in Sarawak, where it is often the most common flowering plant seen along the roadsides.
Arundina gramnifolia in Hawai'i
It is invasive on the big island of Hawaii and common there in mid-mountain areas.
Varieties
Two varieties are currently recognized (May 2014):[3]
Arundina graminifolia var. graminifolia
Arundina graminifolia var. revoluta (Hook.f.) A.L.Lamb in C.L.Chan. & al. – from Assam and Sri Lanka east to Vietnam and south to Java
References
^Blume, Carl (Karl) Ludwig von. 1825. Bijdragen tot de flora van Nederlandsch Indië 8: 401
^lectotype designated by Garay et Sweet, Orchids S. Ryukyu Islands 52. 1974
^See e.g. Das, S & Duttachoudhury, Manabendra & Mazumder, Pranab. (2013). In vitro propagation of Arundina graminifolia D. Don. Hochr - A bamboo orchid. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. 6. 156-158.
